What happened in Louisiana on Saturday, as opposed to what happened across the country a few weeks ago, needs to be a huge wakeup call to liberals. Win or lose, I’m a firm believer in democracy. If voter turnout is high and people are engaged, yet “my side” still loses, I can deal with that. But what ticks me off more than anything is when an election happens, and “my side” loses because far too many people sat on their butts on election day and didn’t vote.

It happens entirely too often. In fact, almost every non-presidential election yields an absolutely pathetic turnout from liberal voters.

That’s why I wasn’t that bothered when the LGBT law in Houston was overturned earlier this month. Not because I believe in discrimination against members of the LGBT community, absolutely not – it’s appalling and disgusting – but because I think liberals desperately need to start seeing the consequences of their actions. Or should I sayinactions.

Sure, people can blame the fear-mongering and lies Republicans told about the law all they want, but that’s bullshit. Are Republicans the only ones able to get an effective message out to voters? Were liberals “misinformed” of what the truth of this law really did?

Liberals are famous for going on and on about how they’re sick and tired of Republicans holding this country back, but theyare the reason why Republicans have the power that they do. If liberals showed up to vote in 2010 and 2014 – like they did in 2006 and 2008 – President Obama would have had the Congress he needed to accomplish so much more than he did.

Instead, because Obama didn’t wave his magic wand, sprinkle some fairy dust and fix everything in a few months, liberals became apathetic, whined, and allowed Republicans to reclaim power in Congress.

Maybe the best thing for this country is to let Republicans completely take over everything. They already dominate in local elections and control the House and the Senate – why not just give them complete power and let them ruin this country? Maybe when it’s turned into a theocracy, with a Supreme Court dominated by 7 ultra-conservative justices overturning every progressive policy that’s been passed for the last 40-50 years, then maybe liberals might “get motivated” enough to get out and vote at every single election.

Even after Republicans had done everything they possibly could since President Obama was elected to sabotage this country, during a record year for economic growth and jobs – liberals still sat home last November, allowing Republicans to celebrate crushing defeats of Democrats all across the country.

The truth is undeniable; if liberals show up to vote – they win. Republicans understand this as well. Just look at what happened in Louisiana when liberals turned out to vote – a Democrat became governor of Louisiana. When liberals participate in democracy and join with moderates and others with common sense, scumbags like David Vitter are prevented from winning office.

Most of the power Republicans have is given to them by anyone on the left who doesn’t vote. They don’t “earn it” – because they can’t. The best “Republican strategy” is to hope for a low voter turnout. Every single liberal who doesn’t vote might as well start calling themselves an “absentee Republican,” since that’s essentially what they are. Every liberal who doesn’t vote is essentially “voting” for the GOP candidate by default.

And for you “this is why we need a third party!” folks – face it. Until Citizens United is overturned or billionaires start dumping millions into third party candidates, there will not be a third party candidate elected president. Get over it, and do your part in helping us get something productive done in the mean time.

Just think about this: If Democrats showed up next November like they did in 2006 and 2008, we would regain control of the Senate, keep the White House and could even potentially have a shot at reclaiming the House or cutting severely into the Republican majority.

If that happened, imagine what we could accomplish. Imagine how much progress we could bring to this country.

That’s why I hope Louisiana electing a Democrat (albeit a conservative Democrat) as governor is a wakeup call for liberals, to show the left what can happen when we get out and flex our voting power. Trust me, that’s a power which terrifies conservatives.

What happened in places like Houston and Kentucky, where liberal voter turnout was abysmal, should piss off everyone on the left. It should wake us all up to the reality that voting matters. More people on the left need to realize that all the Twitter hashtag campaigns and Facebook posts are meaningless unless every single one of those same people is just as excited to vote as they are to “like” or retweet something.

And that includes spending at least some time – however little you can sacrifice – figuring out a solid plan to make sure your friends and family are able to vote as well. If that means educating them on why it’s so vital, so be it. Our future is too important to not come together and figure this damn thing out.

Allen Clifton is a native Texan who now lives in the Austin area. He has a degree in Political Science from Sam Houston State University. Allen is a co-founder of Forward Progressives and creator of the popular Right Off A Cliff column and Facebook page. Be sure to follow Allen on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to his channel on YouTube as well.